6143  The Smithfield' Town Council reconvened its April 26, 2021 meeting onl Monday, April 27, 2021 at 6:30 pmi in the Council Chambers oft the Smithfield' Town Hall, Mayor M. Andy Moore presided.  Councilmen Present: Mayor Pro-Tem Dunn Marlon! Lee - District1 David Stevens, District2 Travis Scott, District3 Dr. David Barbour, District4 Stephen Rabil, At-Large  Councilmen Absent Roger Wood, At-Large  Administrative Staff Present Michael Scott, Town! Manager Ted Credle, Public Utilities Director Shannan Parrish, Town Clerk Greg Siler, Finance Director Mark Helmer, Senior Planner  Reconvene: April 26th Meeting 1. UFS Rate Study Results  Mayor Moore reconvened the meeting at6 6:30 pm  Mark Beauchamp of Utility Financial Services addressed the Council via WebEx to explain the proposed electric rate changes. He stated the premise behind the changes were to make the rates revenue neutral. Within the rate design, there was a proposal to increase the customer charge while reducing the actual energy rate.. Although each individual class isr not revenue neutral, allr rates collectively will makei itrevenue neutral. Some customers will see a slighti increase while others will see as slight decrease. Town Manager Michael Scott stated that one of the biggest complaints the Town receives are from churches. Mr. Beauchamp responded that another rate would be better for churches of a rate could be Councilman Scotts stated that the more staff controls costs, the more itwill be reflected int the rates. Councilman Scotts stated! hey was alarmedi thatt the Town has wasted $3.2r million onA AMI metering. He stated staffr neededi to develop a planf for the removal of meter reading. The Town Manager stated the Town could dos separate billing fore electric and waterlsewer, butt that wouldr mean customers would receive two monthly billsf from the Town which could be confusing. Mr. Credle stated he has reached out to ElectriCities tos see Town Manager Michael Scott informed the Council that they would review the proposed Electric fee changes once the Council has an opportunity tor review the PowerPoint presentation from Mr. Beauchamp The Town Manager explained that there were other minor changes in the proposed fee schedule in the Planning Department. Proposed changes to Sanitation fees will be discussed during that department's Councilman Barbour stated the tethering ordinance needed tob be includedi in thet fee schedule. Mayor Moore stated the watert tapi fees and sewer tapi fees should cover the cost ofthet tap andi nott the cost  developed for churches.  ifthey couldp provide a solution. 2. Fee Schedule ofUtility Financial Solutions.  review.  ofe employee labor. 3. General Fund  a. General Government Included the following:  Town Manager Michael Scott highlighted the General Government's FY: 2021-2022 budget which Salaries -1 new IT Specialist: and reclassification oft the current IT Specialist. These Telephone 73% increase int this line due tot the use of conference calling and for the addition ofr monthly phone stipend in the amount of$50f for the Town Council. Capital Outlay- $50,500 is proposed int the budget for new cameras and video feedi for Councilman Barbour questioned if drones and a drone program were included int the budget. The Town Manager responded that he would prefer to develop a program and a plan before Town Manager Michael Scott explained that included in this budget was the pay off of the EMS building loan. He stated there has been somei interest by the County top purchase the building.  potions are splite evenly between thet three funds.  the Council Chambers. budgeting funds for the program.  b. Debt Service    6144  Finance included thet following:  Finance Director Greg Siler highlighted the Finance Department's FY 2021-2022 Budget which Mayor Pro-Tem Dunn questionedi the status ofh hiringt the Assistant Financel Director. Town! Manager Michael Scott responded" thath he did not move forward with hiring that position duet tot the economic uncertainty associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. Staffi isr now advertising fort that position. The Town Manager informed the Council that within the next 5 years, the Council would have to consider expanding Town Hall. Should the Town sell the County the EMS building, those funds Senior Planner Mark Helmer highlighted the Planning Department's FY 2021-2022 Budget which  Salaries: 1a additional customer: service representative is being proposed.  could be used for the Town Hall expansion.  d. Planning included the following:  Professional Dues and Fees: Increase in this line due to the increased cost of Service Contracts: $30,000 will be carried over for engineering standards if not Capital Outlay: There was nop proposed capital outlay fori the Planning Department.  professional associations. completed int the current fiscal year.  Recess  Councilman Barbour made a motion, seconded by Councilman Stevens, tor recess the meeting tol Monday  May 3, 2021 at6 6:30 pm. The meeting recessed at approximately 8:38 pm.  OF SMITH CMITHFIEIT  Ton  M.Andy,Aoore/AMayor  ATTEST:  Sossozhorisk Shannan L. Parrish, Towri Clerk